Outback attractions

Longreach might be a small outback town but surprisingly it has some big attractions on offer. The Australian Stockmans Hall of Fame is a dedicated museum that pays tribute to pioneers of the Australian Outback. Bazflyers had no difficulty spending the best part of a full day here.

The Australian Stockman

Of course for anyone interested in aviation Longreach was the birth place of Queensland and Northern Territory Air Services Pty Ltd or QANTAS as it became known. The QANTAS Founders Museum located at the airport pays tribute to the founders of this great airline and has many unique exhibits commemorating the company's early history. To do justice a full day is needed.

Bazflyer2 standing in a QANTAS Boeing 747 engine nacelle.

Long before aircraft and trains the Australian outback depended greatly on river transport. Longreach sits on the Thomson River along which river boats provided valuable connections and the means of transporting wool and other goods. Unfortunately, frequent droughts and floods interferred with river transport which eventually gave way to more reliable rail and road. The Bazflyers were able to briefly capture the romantic atmosphere of those river boats on a sunset paddle-wheel cruise on the Thomson.

Sunset on the Thomson River

Road transport played a major role in opening up the Outback and when it came to 4-wheels there was nothing bigger across the land than Cobb & Co horse coaches. Only in Longreach can you experience the sight, feel and sound of riding in a replica Cobb & Co coach drawn by a team of four horses at the gallop doing 40 kph. A very unique outback experience.

Cobb & Co coach at the gallop